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I had the same decision to make a few years old with my old pony who was 34. Its a terrible weight on your mind knowing YOU are making the decision. I felt terrible for months even years after. The day it happened was a glorious sunny day and before the vet arrived she was cantering around the place (she was soo arthritic by this point she could lie down and then struggle to get back up)

Now I look back and think yes it was a brave decision and yes it was the right decision. My beloved pony was pts in a human way on a lovely day having had all her favorite treats. She didnt have to suffer another winter. She is buried at the bottom of the field and I still miss her. I look back however knowing I made the right decision for her.

Try to enjoy your remaining time and try not to dwell on the day ahead. I am your Lad knows he is well loved xx
 
My old westie was 15 when she passed away. She was deaf and going blind. The stress that I went under worrying about her was amazing. Luckily she fell really ill and passed away all in one morning. It feels abit bad to say it but the relife I felt when it was all over was amazing. You didnt have to worry or stress about them anymore and you know they are now happy and pain free.
 
So sorry you are having to face this. I had to make the decision a few years ago with our 34 year old, she had really bad arthritis and I knew she wouldn't make it through another winter, so the decision was made to give her one more summer and she was pts in the October. It was very hard, and I have to admit I nearly changed my mind a couple of times as she seemed so well apart from her legs, but as others have said I felt a huge sense of relief when she had gone and I knew she was pain free.
 
To the kind words, thank you.


I'll answer the others once and once only.

During the winter he was in pain. I should have done it then. I didn't. Too much snow. Too little understanding on my part. Too late.

However,

HE IS NOT IN PAIN NOW.

HE IS ON ONE BUTE A DAY WHEN THE GROUND IS HARD OR IT IS COLD.

HE IS MOVING AROUND THE FIELD HAPPILY.

THE VET IS HAPPY WITH HIM.

HE'S HAPPY AND COMFORTABLE AS HE IS NOW.

I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE HE DOES NOT GO THROUGH ANOTHER COLD WINTER, NOT EVEN A COLD AUTUMN, BUT FOR NOW, HE IS OKAY AND ENJOYING LIFE.


I have had one horse put to sleep because she was in pain, and I did it then sooner, rather than later.

I had my St. Bernard put to sleep so as one night she would not suffer a bloat attack and die alone and in pain.


Don't anyone ever tell me that I am putting my feelings before the care of my animals.

Anyone who knows me from here, and/or from real life, should know that my animals always get the best, of everything.


Edited to add: he is being monitored every day. Today I thoughts he might have dropped a bit of weight, so I prepared myself that it might be sooner than I had anticipated. But, he's still perky and bright and trotting about okay, so I will watch over the coming couple of weeks and see how he is. The end may be sooner than I thought.
 
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Oh Mrs M its so hard, I know, I will lose my 2 retired ponies the same time your LL will go. I am so so sorry, big hugs. I know how heartbreaking it is to look at them and know you have to say goodbye.

We've had to put Whisp on 3 bute a day tokeep her comfy now the ground is so hard :(

Your post made me cry too - I know honey, I know

GI
xxx
 
Sorry Mrs M, it is a hard decision to make and even harder on the day. I have no doubt whatsoever that you are doing the right thing for the little lad and it will be done at the right time. big hugs xxxx
 
Good god! Do people really think a horse that needs 1 bute a day is in so much pain it needs to be PTS immediately?

There would be a lot of older / arthritic horses leading happy useful lives that would be meeting an early bullet if that was the case.

My girlie's on 3 a day to give her another summer - if she goes up to 4 I'll let her go - this is our approach AGREED WITH MY VET. The pitchforks will be after me later for not shooting her now!

And, TBH, what is so wrong about giving your horse pain relief (that is within appropriate levels of course, and agreed with your vet) for a precious few weeks so they can enjoy a last few weeks in the sun hooilieing around the field?

I for one know Mrs M will do anything for her horses, including picking the right time (through the tears).
 
Gleeful Imp said:
Good god! Do people really think a horse that needs 1 bute a day is in so much pain it needs to be PTS immediately?

There would be a lot of older / arthritic horses leading happy useful lives that would be meeting an early bullet if that was the case.

.
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Quite right too. If a horse needs even 1 bute a day to dull any pain for long term then it is one too many. Too many owners shovel in bute because they're not man enough to do the decent thing which is why there are so many decrepid horses doing the rounds at sales when they should have been put down ages before. It's time owners woke up and smelt the coffee and faced up to their responsibilities.

I know you'll do right by him Mrs M, eventually.
 
I have no idea where you are in the country Mrs M, but is the ground not currently hard? It's a horrible decision to have to make and I truly empathise with you. Apart from the due care and attention needed, it's the one thing a good animal owner can do for their pet/stock, to end it quickly and with dignity and it's so much easier said than done.
 
Sportznight said:
I have no idea where you are in the country Mrs M, but is the ground not currently hard? It's a horrible decision to have to make and I truly empathise with you. Apart from the due care and attention needed, it's the one thing a good animal owner can do for their pet/stock, to end it quickly and with dignity and it's so much easier said than done.
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Not up here at the moment. His field is not too bad, with short-ish springy grass covering over most of it.

We keep an eye on the ground, the rain fall, the temperature, how he's movind and general demeanour, and Bute accordingly. So far, without the cold of the winter, he's okay on this regime on one Bute a day when the conditions dictate that he needs it.
 
I'm not brave enough to read the afore mentioned thread :o Everytime I read anything relating to the loss of someone's beloved horse it sets me off (even at work :o). You know your own horse and when it's time and that is one of the hardest decisions any horse owner or lover will ever face. Big hugs ready for when the time comes :)
 
I think that one of the hardest things is saying what you know in your heart "outloud" it is that first step and so heartbreaking. From my understanding this is that moment,I am sorry. (I hope this makes sense i'm not very wordy)
 
Complete huge hugs to you all.

If words are any consolation, feel pleased that you get the final say in this and can give him the most peaceful way out and plan around it in due time. It's almost what any owner would wish, rather it be a horrible sudden thing to do. xx
 
Thank you all. Your words, all of them Jockmaster, are kind and help.

Sorry, the 'up here' meant the midlands (brain is being a bit dense this evening).

We've had rain of some sort most days, which has softened it a bit; it's now nothing like it was a few weeks ago, which was when I started talking to the vet about what was happening in terms of how things work with arthritis in reality rather than in books/internet.
 
Can i just say that for 3 years I have been on heavy duty pain relief, It doesn't kill the pain, just takes the edge off but it would equate to way more than MrsM's horse is on and i am not sure that i am ready to be pts. I know that animals rely on us to make a decision for them but do you really think that an animal is ready to go just because it needs to take a bit of painkiller. Mrs M obviously thinks that he has a good quality of life and still enjoys it or he wouldn't still be here.
I think that some people are being really harsh, she is clearly upset and to try and distress her more is really not necessary.
 
Sorry Mrs M that I have not replied to this thread before and really should do so as I have just had to make the decision.
If its any easier to hear it, it really isn't that bad. You really DO know when its time and really DO know when horsie can't live on pain killers or go through another winter or when they look tired. A good owner does know their horse, and that is a huge compliment in its own right.
Just one bit of advice, don't leave the 'waiting' for too long. It will happen, it has to happen and prolonging the enevitable does nothing for our nerves, health or tear ducts for that matter - over use of these isn't good!!
We know we will miss them, but when they leave us with a 'thankyou', you can't help but be pleased with your choice and have a smile for them.
Be brave, and I am here if ever you need a cuddle, chat, cup of tea or bar of choccie!!
 
Maesfen said:
Quite right too. If a horse needs even 1 bute a day to dull any pain for long term then it is one too many. Too many owners shovel in bute because they're not man enough to do the decent thing which is why there are so many decrepid horses doing the rounds at sales when they should have been put down ages before. It's time owners woke up and smelt the coffee and faced up to their responsibilities.

I know you'll do right by him Mrs M, eventually.
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To be fair Mrs M isn't buting up to send to the sales or even to ride as some would. She has already made the hard decision to pts to avoid the possibility of suffering in the coming winter and her horse is currently comfortable and pain free. I wouldn't call a few months on bute particularly long term and if bute keeps the horse comfortable, pain free and able to enjoy life until the Autumn then I see no wrong in that.

I've often given older horses a last summer as you just know that they'll deteriorate come the winter, it doesn't mean that you keep them going in pain or discomfort which would be unfair, but allows them a summer at grass just being a horse. The selfish thing would be to keep a horse in pain or not do the deed at all, neither of which apply in this case.
 
I'm in tears too, reading this! I think Maesfen needs to go away and take a good long look at him/herself - I was shocked by their throwaway comments.

I read your posts Mrs M but you seem to have lots of forum buddies who comment so I don't tend to, but know from your threads you have your animals best interests at heart.

Unfortunately for me I did have to make this decision three and a half few years ago about my dog who was my shadow, there was just me and him on our own for most of his life and I still mourn him as much if not more than close family members who have passed away

I hopefully won't have to make this decision again for another 30 years as my boy is just a youngster who I intend to keep forever as I've had him from a baby and he is the absolute apple of my eye now, and just the thought of ever having to make this decision fills me with the utmost dread and despair, I really don't envy what you are going through but I'm sure you will make the right decision at the right time.
 
Maesfen- Do you really think that this is the place to start making comments like that? Who do you think you are? If you want to have a debate, then fine. Go ahead and make a thread. But don't you dare make comments like that on a thead like this.

MrsMozart- I know exactly what you are going through. I made the decision to end my girl's suffering just over 3 months ago. It tore me apart, I adored her. It's the last act of kindness you can show them. He will tell you when he is ready.
Huge huge hugs, it's so very difficult, but your boy will thank you for it x
 
I couldn't even go near the Euthanasia thread: Mrs M you are a brave soul to do so considering what you are having to contemplate. Had to make the decision 18 months ago, almost, and it is one of the worst things in life to have to do. You'll know when it is time, you'll just know...when we establish such a close relationship with our animals...horse/dog/cat, whatever...we do.

All the very best to you Mrs M, and a virtual hug from one who knows.
 
Having got fields full of oldies in varying states of ageing I can probably comment better than most.
There are clear signs when a horse needs to be euthanised, they lose weight and it's difficult to regain it, they rarely move from one area to another, and they usually take off and spend time on their own away from the rest.
We try here to get there before they reach the above stages, and really there is no point anyone commenting on the right or wrong of Mrs M's animal because you need to watch it over several hours a day for a few days to know whether the time is right.
I have horses here who are always slightly lame, but they mooch about over a wide grazing area, look well and have a bright eye. yes if they break into a trot or canter they are slightly stiff or sometimes a bit lame, but that isn't a reason to euthanise them! Goodness can you imagine the fuss if we treated our elderly people the same way? !!
I find it is usually easy to make the final decision, if they are reluctant to move, aren't hungry or interacting with their mates then I know the day has arrived. I'm lucky my retired livery horse owners all trust my judgement, and I feel very strongly a responsibility tothe horses in my care to get it right.
As for bute I have no problem with it unless it gives them ulcers, if it prolongs a horse's working life and removes some pain and stiffness that's fine. I reckon if you asked the horse he would far rather have bute and stay alive than die..
There are levels of quality of life and it's our job to know when enough is enough, having gone through that decision literally dozens of times, it is an obvious one to make in the end.
I will say that in many cases around mid twenties isthe best age for a horse to live to, older and their problems get much much worse , I would rather euthanise them when their lives are becoming much more difficult than wait until it happens completely.
Trust your instincts Mrs M, put yourself in the horse's place and ask if you want a life like his, then you have the answer without any doubts I promise..
 
We followed the vets advice with our oldie, Just as you are MrsM.
Big hugs, it is a hateful decision, but the kindest one we can make. LL is very lucky to have had you as owner for the last 4 years looking after his needs, despite his "quirks". You will know when the day is right.
(hugs)
xx
 
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